The flow of unauthorized immigrants

The number of unauthorized immigrants crossing into the United States has slowed in the past few years amid growing border defenses and a weakened U.S. economy. But a new crisis has emerged as unaccompanied children seeking asylum have shown up by the thousands.

WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM

The countries of Central America, particularly the northern triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, face rising levels of crime and drug violence as well as poverty and unemployment.

U.S.

Guatemala

El Salvador

Honduras

Population (2013, in millions)

316.1

15.5

6.3

8.0

GDP per capita (Current U.S. dollars)

$52,800

$5,300

$7,500

$4,800

Population below poverty line (2013)

15.1%1

54.0%2

36.5%1

60.0%1

Crime victimization rate (2103)

NA

33.6%

28.5%

31.9%

Estimated homicide rate(per 100,000 people, 2012 estimate)

4.7

39.9

41.2

90.4

1: 2010 estimate, 2: 2011 estimate

WHERE THEY ARE CROSSING

Most of the unaccompanied children are coming through the Rio Grande sector in Texas, helping to make it the one region that saw a growth in apprehensions between 2004 and 2013. A border fence and tough laws in Arizona have helped stem the flow.

Generally, as the U.S. Border Patrol budget and staffing has risen, the number of apprehensions has declined. However, that doesn’t tell the full story as the decline also mirrors the changing U.S. economy since 2007.

U.S. Border Patrol agents

In thousands

U.S. Border Patrol budget

In billions

Unauthorized immigrants apprehended

In millions

Unauthorized unaccompanied children apprehended

Projected*

*Unprojected 2014 numbers are through June 15

Sources: World Bank data; CIA World Factbook; U.S. Border Patrol; U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Congressional Research Service